"But you see now that he wants to leave you on shore." "I have no doubt of that; still I wish to go on shore with him. You may be assured that no accident shall happen to you," I answered, as I rattled the stove to convince the skipper that I was busy at the work I had come below to do. "I am terribly alarmed. All Mr. Waterford's looks and, actions convince me that he means mischief." "I know he does; he has fully satisfied me on that point. But will you leave the whole matter to me?" "Yes; but do be very cautious." "I shall go on shore with him." "Then he may leave you there." "No; he cannot do that. I will watch him; and I can swim off to the boat before he can hoist the jib and get under way. Trust me, Miss Collingsby." "I do trust you; but he may deceive you." "He will if he can. I cannot afford to be left here, for I have business with Mr. Whippleton for your father's sake, as well as my own." "You seem to understand yourself very well; but Mr. Waterford is very sharp." "Perhaps I am; at any rate, he will not leave me on shore." "Are you ready, Phil?" shouted the skipper, at the companion-way; and I began to think he was a little suspicious of my movements. "All ready," I replied, and hastened on deck. I pulled off my coat, and left it in the yacht, so that, in case I had to swim, I should be the less encumbered. "Throw a bucket into the boat, so that you can wash out the tender," said the skipper. "I don't know that I can haul the boat up that bank alone, after all," I added, looking at the shore. "I don't think you can; my plan is the most sensible one. We will both go." He jumped into the boat, and I followed him. Taking one of the oars, he paddled the tender to the shore, and we landed. Mr. Waterford was evidently a thorough strategist, for he went through all the forms of doing what he had proposed. We hauled the boat out of the water, removed everything movable, and then turned her over. "Now, Phil, those swamp flowers grow about ten rods from here, on the bank of a little brook. Follow that path, and you will come to the place," said he, pointing into the swamp. "While you are getting them, I will wash out the boat. But don't be gone long, for I can't put the boat into the water without your help." I thought he could put it into the water without my help, and that he would do it as soon as I was out of sight. I went into a clump of bushes near the spot where he stood, intending to watch his movements, for I wished to be entirely satisfied that he meditated treachery. I wished to be able to justify myself for any step I might be compelled to take.